Deadline: 07-Feb-2026

UNICEF Afghanistan invites expressions of interest to support the renovation and rehabilitation of 161 public schools across 16 provinces. The initiative aims to improve access, safety, and quality of education for children—particularly girls—through gender-responsive, weather-resilient, and standards-compliant school facilities, while strengthening community participation, local employment, and coordination among education stakeholders.

Project Overview

This UNICEF initiative focuses on enhancing access to safe, inclusive, and quality education by renovating and rehabilitating public school infrastructure in Afghanistan. Key project components include:

• Education and out-of-school education programs

• Rehabilitation of classrooms, WASH facilities, and protective structures

• Provision of gender-sensitive toilets, handwashing stations, and safe drinking water

• Strengthening school safety and learning environments

• Supporting weather-resilient, standards-compliant facilities

Target Areas and Beneficiaries

• Schools: 161 public schools across 16 provinces

• Primary beneficiaries: Children, particularly girls, facing infrastructure-related barriers to education

• Secondary beneficiaries: Local communities, school staff, and provincial education authorities

Key Activities and Deliverables

1. Infrastructure Rehabilitation: Renovate classrooms, WASH facilities, and protective structures to meet UNICEF technical standards.

2. Gender-Responsive Design: Ensure facilities are safe, inclusive, and accessible for girls and vulnerable students.

3. Community Engagement: Increase ownership through school shuras, local stakeholders, and participation of community labor.

4. Partnerships: Collaborate with national NGOs, local subcontractors, provincial education directorates, Ministry of Education, and infrastructure service departments.

5. Environmental and Social Safeguards: Comply with grievance redressal mechanisms, PSEA/SH standards, and environmental safeguards.

6. Temporary Livelihood Opportunities: Create employment opportunities for local communities during construction.

7. Monitoring and Quality Assurance: Strengthen reporting, coordination, and quality assurance systems to ensure effective project implementation.

Expected Outcomes

• Improved access to education through safe, functional, and weather-resilient school facilities

• Reduction of infrastructure-related barriers, particularly for girls

• Enhanced learning conditions and community confidence in public education services

• Strengthened capacity of local education authorities and NGOs to manage school infrastructure projects

• Increased community participation and ownership in education service delivery

Who is Eligible?

The call is open to:

• National NGOs experienced in education and school infrastructure projects

• Local subcontractors and construction partners capable of meeting UNICEF technical standards

• Organizations that can ensure compliance with environmental and social safeguards

Why It Matters

This initiative addresses critical challenges in Afghanistan’s education sector, including:

• Unsafe and damaged classrooms that reduce student attendance

• Limited access to gender-sensitive WASH facilities, disproportionately affecting girls

• Gaps in community engagement and education service delivery capacity

• Need for resilient infrastructure that withstands environmental hazards

How to Apply / Submission Process

1. Prepare Expression of Interest (EOI): Include organizational capacity, prior experience, and technical approach for school rehabilitation.

2. Document Proposed Interventions: Outline infrastructure plans, gender-responsive measures, WASH provisions, and community engagement strategies.

3. Submit Application: Follow UNICEF Afghanistan’s official submission guidelines and deadlines.

4. Evaluation: EOIs assessed on technical capability, capacity to implement, and alignment with project objectives.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting incomplete EOIs lacking technical or organizational details

• Failing to demonstrate experience in school infrastructure rehabilitation or gender-sensitive WASH provision

• Non-compliance with UNICEF standards, environmental safeguards, or PSEA/SH protocols

• Neglecting community engagement or local stakeholder participation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Which schools are targeted by this initiative?
   161 public schools across 16 provinces in Afghanistan.

2. Who benefits most from this project?
   Children, particularly girls, and local communities affected by damaged or unsafe school infrastructure.

3. What infrastructure components are included?
   Classrooms, WASH facilities, protective structures, and gender-sensitive toilets and handwashing stations.

4. How does the project ensure gender-responsiveness?
   By providing safe, inclusive facilities and engaging school communities to address girls’ educational needs.

5. Who can apply for this funding?
   National NGOs, local subcontractors, and partners with experience in school infrastructure and adherence to UNICEF technical standards.

6. Are environmental and social safeguards required?
   Yes, including grievance redressal mechanisms, PSEA/SH standards, and compliance with environmental regulations.

7. What are the expected community impacts?
   Improved access to safe education, enhanced learning conditions, community ownership, temporary livelihood opportunities, and strengthened local capacity for education service delivery.

Conclusion

UNICEF’s renovation and rehabilitation program seeks to expand access to safe and quality education in Afghanistan by addressing critical infrastructure gaps. Through gender-responsive facilities, community engagement, and strong partnerships, the initiative strengthens learning environments, supports girls’ education, and builds resilient, well-managed school systems across the country.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.